Design & Technology
Intent
At Prior Heath, our intention is to provide children with a real-life context for learning Design and technology skills (DT). As an inspiring and practical subject, we intend to prepare children to deal with an ever-changing technological world, encouraging them to become creative and resourceful problem solvers, working both independently and as members of a team. We teach them to be inspired by real world opportunities and relevant problems, identifying needs and developing a range of ideas and solutions in a variety of contexts. By applying knowledge learnt across other areas of the curriculum, children build their confidence, resilience, practical and analytical skills. Furthermore, they learn to overcome challenges and improve designs and products, all the while finding motivation and meaning for their learning.
Food technology is a valuable part of our DT curriculum and we have a purpose-built kitchen for the children’s cooking.
It is our intent that DT is taught in all year groups in either discreet or cross-curricular
projects. By the time children reach Year 2, they would have had experience of food tech, textiles, design and construction; they should be confidently performing everyday tasks and applying their knowledge, understanding and an increased level of skills as they progress through the school. It is our intention that the learning environment across the school will be more consistent with design and technology technical vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners. The children will be on the way to becoming risk takers and innovators and will have used a range of tools, resources and materials, to create effectively constructed and aesthetically pleasing results. This, along with a strong focus on the importance of evaluation, allows children to adapt and improve their work, providing them with not only a sense of achievement but a strong foundation for the next step of their learning and a key skill for life.
Implementation
Design & Technology is taught through the Early Years Foundation Stage (Expressive Art and Design) and the National Curriculum programme of study for Key Stage 1 by setting high ambitions and expectations for all pupils ensuring strong cross curricular links are made. Through subject specific teaching children will develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Key skills and knowledge are built upon from Reception through to Year 1 and 2 ensuring that all aspects of the Key Stage 1 curriculum are covered. Within each unit of work, there are opportunities for challenge and units are accessible for all.
Whilst making, children will be given a wide range of tools, materials and components including textiles, construction equipment and ingredients. They build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills (i.e. cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) in order to make high-quality prototypes and products for a range of users. Children will learn to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products as well as the work of others. They investigate and analyse a range of existing products to understand how individuals and key events have shaped design and technology globally. In addition, they learn to evaluate their work against their own design criteria and consider the views of others in order to improve their work.
Impact
The impact of our curriculum is for the children to become independent learners who think through problems creatively, know how to organise themselves and how to use knowledge and skills with making and evaluating their work. Our progression of skills ensure that children become creative and resourceful.
Teachers plan carefully to ensure that children make progress with their learning in DT. Assessment for learning is every lesson is used to inform teacher’s planning. Children are supported as required with opportunities for overlearning.
DT is a valuable part of our school curriculum. Children will build on prior knowledge to make connections with the skills taught throughout their time at Prior Heath and be proud of their designs.
The Progression of Skills for Design Technology from Reception to Year 2 can be found here. (PDF, 119.48 kB)